Creating the perfect backdrop

There are so many elements that work together to create a perfect event, it can be difficult to decide where to begin when it comes to planning everything! Furniture and accessories are one of these important factors that, done well, play a crucial part in conjuring the look and feel you’ve envisaged. Let’s face it, they might ‘just be tables and chairs’ or ‘decorations’ but they’ll be in most of the photos that you’ll treasure for a lifetime, and will contribute hugely to the theme or vibe that will shape yours and all your guests’ precious memories.

At Village Farm Marquees, over the years we have developed a network of trusted suppliers who share the same high standards and values as us in ensuring our clients’ events and celebrations are as perfect as possible. It’s a great pleasure to see two of our favourites have now joined forces under single ownership – Black Event Furniture and Event Prop Hire, both of which are based in Yorkshire. Here we have a chat with two members of their friendly team.

Setting the scene

“I think we talk to Village Farm Marquees almost every day,” laughed Heather Stead, Event Sales Co-ordinator at Black Event Furniture. “We work together a lot, and have built up an excellent relationship over the years, which is good for ourselves and our clients.

“VFM’s work is very impressive, it’s exciting to work with them and we’ve been involved in some stunning events. They always think about wider picture, it’s nice to work with like-minded people who truly consider the experience guests will have.

“Chrysta and Tony have a clear vision and are always upfront about what they want. They possess a lot of knowledge and experience and are regularly on site, which really makes a difference.”

If you’re unsure exactly what kind of furniture you want for your event, you’re bound to find oodles of inspiration at Black Event Furniture. Now based in Thorp Arch, near Wetherby, the company has been operating for over 20 years and stocks more than 20,000 chairs, 1000 tables, and in the height of the season caters for more than 50 events a week with its fleet of lo-loader vans. On delivery, the team carefully set up your furniture for you and both deliver and collect at a time to suit you.

They offer every type of style and finish, from traditional banqueting chairs to transparent polycarbonate, chrome and leather, all in a wide range of colours, as well as the currently on-trend cross back chairs. All items are meticulously maintained with a regular in-house cleaning and repainting programme, so every customer receives furniture that looks as good as new.

Heather added: “It’s about more than practicality – your chairs and tables really do help set the scene, the style and colour chosen forms the main backdrop for your event. Trends at the moment include a softer, relaxed look, our lime wash Camelot chairs are very popular, as are our rustic wooden cross-back chairs.

“At Black Event Furniture we pride ourselves on providing quality products with a professional, reliable service that means you get your whole look exactly right with minimum fuss.”

Let your imagination run wild

Event Prop Hire, which is headquartered in Wetherby and also has a London base, specialises in the design, creation and supply of high quality and visually outstanding event theming and props. Now that Black Event Furniture and Event Prop Hire have joined forces, both companies say they are looking forward to further developing their relationship with VFM into the future.

And a growth in popularity of ‘themed’ events makes this even more likely. Sophie Calpin, Marketing Co-ordinator at Event Prop Hire, said: “With weddings in particular, more and more couples are wanting styling that reflects their personalities, lifestyles or interests, so the whole look and vibe has moved away from traditional formality and towards more laid-back celebrations that say something about who they are as people.

“It’s about being individual, having fun, and ensuring guests have a really good time. Popular themes at the moment include Alice in Wonderland, superheroes, and the circus – this has really boomed since The Greatest Showman – and fairground games like hook-a-duck,” Sophie added.

“We recently exhibited at the National Wedding Show and the theme ‘The Greatest Love Story’ was a huge hit with the attendees. It was full of glamour and romance, with a gorgeous carousel horse that people could sit on for photos. The horse was actually built for Dancing On Ice!”

Anyone who is unsure of where to start with a theme for their event only needs to glance at Event Prop Hire’s website to see the possibilities are endless. Sophie said: “When I first joined the company, I caught sight of a member of the production team carrying a giant gorilla and screamed! Now, such things seem like the norm to me. We have all sorts – dinosaurs, an Eiffel Tower, a giant ghetto blaster, a large collection of artificial trees, a canal, a pirate ship, a unicorn – we have something to suit pretty much any theme you can think of and we can build bespoke items too on request.”

Everyone who works at the business is encouraged to unleash their creativity and contribute ideas for new props. There is also a full-time team working on maintenance to make sure everything is consistently fit for hire, and anything that has become too worn is retired. Items can be personalised for a specific event, and with an in-house design and print team anything is possible.

Keeping an eye on costs

So what about budgets, does creating a themed celebration or hiring beautiful furniture cost an arm and a leg? No, it certainly doesn’t have to. Black Event Furniture and Event Prop Hire always work within a client’s budget and ensure they maximise the value given.

Sophie said: “We help people figure out their priorities and make the most effective use of their budget. Regardless of whether they are hiring something for £100 or £1,000, we put in the same amount of effort.”

Heather added: “Hire really is very affordable, you don’t have to spend a lot to create the effect you want.”

Asked if they have any favourite props or pieces of furniture, Heather plumps for a giant dinosaur, while Sophie says she is “obsessed” with cross-back chairs, which look so beautiful at rustic weddings.

Sophie added: “We are proud to be a Yorkshire company employing local artists, designers and sculptors, and of our connections with other companies in the region. The trend for marquee events is only going to grow even bigger, and we’re very excited about working even more closely with VFM.”

Chrysta Newman, Co-director at Village Farm Marquees, said: “Both Black Event Furniture and Event Prop Hire are bursting with creative ideas and their products are of such a high quality. Having recently visited their Wetherby base I came away feeling very inspired and have several new creative ideas for upcoming client events. It’s always such a pleasure to work with them and I know our clients really appreciate everything they do.”

For more information about Black Event Furniture visit www.eventfurniture.com

For more information about Event Prop Hire visit www.eventprophire.com

To talk to Village Farm Marquees about your marquee needs, email info@villagfarmmarquees.co.uk or ring 01262 468160.